The Office of Safe and Healthy Students (OSHS) administers, coordinates, and recommends policy for improving the quality and excellence of programs and activities that are designed to: provide financial assistance for: drug and violence prevention activities; activities that promote the health and well-being of students in elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education; school preparedness activities that contribute to improved conditions for learning; education continuity for children and youths in state-run institutions for juveniles and in adult correctional institutions so that these youths can make successful transitions to school or employment once they are released; and comprehensive services to homeless children and youths and their families. Activities may be carried out by other Federal agencies, State and local educational agencies, and other public and private nonprofit organizations. OSHS also participate in: the formulation and development of ED program policy and legislative proposals and in overall Administration policies related to violence and drug prevention; interagency committees, groups, and partnerships related to drug and violence prevention, school preparedness; homeland security, homeless, missing and exploited youth, trafficked youth, and school health; and with other Federal agencies in the development of a national research and data collection agenda for drug and violence prevention and preparedness. OSHS administers the Department's programs relating to citizenship and civics education.
OSHS is headed by a Director, who reports to the Assistant Secretary and/or respective Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, and advises the Assistant Secretary and/or Deputy Assistant Secretary on matters related to the programs administered by OSHS. The Immediate Office of the Director provides overall direction, coordination, and leadership to the following major program elements:

School Climate Transformation

Safe and Supportive Schools

Health, Mental health, Environmental Health, and Physical Education

Drug-Violence Prevention

Character and Civic Education

Homeland Security, Emergency Management and School Preparedness

Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children Who are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk programs

OSHS is divided into three subordinate units:Safe and Supportive Schools Group administers Title IV, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA) authorized by ESEA, as amended, and other programs related to developing and maintaining safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools. In particular, this Group administers the Safe and Supportive Schools (S3) grant program and a number of interagency agreements with a focus on but not limited to: bullying, school recovery research, and data collection. This group also administers grant programs that are intended to ensure that youth make successful transitions to school or employment once they are released from adult institutions and does not cause these children to be left behind in school.

Programs authorized under this legislation provide financial assistance for drug and violence prevention activities in elementary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education. Activities may be carried out by State and local educational agencies and by other public and private nonprofit organizations. Specifically, the group has lead responsibility for the Safe and Drug-Free Schools National Programs, Safe and Supportive Schools Program, and the American Clearinghouse on Educational Facilities.

Provides national leadership on issues and programs in character, and civic education, including reporting on issues and programs, disseminating information, and providing technical assistance, and providing financial assistance for citizenship and character education activities in elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education.

Programs that serve juveniles in adult correctional institutions, so that these youth can make successful transitions to school or employment once they are released from State institutions. The programs support supplemental instruction in core subject areas, such as reading and mathematics, as well as tutoring, counseling, and transition services.

Provides technical assistance to grantees and other members of the public.

Participates in the formulation and development of ED program policy and legislative proposals and in the overall Administration policies related to violence and drug prevention. Drafts program regulations.

Designs operating programs, prepares program budgets and other management documents.

Establishes program goals and objectives that are consistent with the ED strategic plan.

Participates in interagency committees, groups, and partnerships related to drug and violence prevention.

Participates with other Federal Agencies in the development of a national research and data collection agenda for drug and violence prevention.

Healthy Students Group administers programs that promote violence prevention, alcohol abuse prevention, homelessness, and the health and well-being of students and families as outlined in Title IV and V, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA) authorized by the ESEA, as amended, and other programs that address the needs of homeless children to help them enroll in school, attend regularly, and achieve success. Programs authorized under this legislation provide financial assistance for activities that promote the health and well-being of students in elementary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education. Activities may be carried out by local educational agencies and by other public and private nonprofit organizations. Specifically, the group has lead responsibility for the following discretionary programs: Safe Schools/Healthy Students, Physical Education, Alcohol Abuse Prevention, Higher Education Alcohol Programs, Drug Testing, School Counselors programs, Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children Who are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk, and Education for Homeless Children and Youth program authorized by the Stewart B. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (P.L. 100-77).
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In performing its responsibilities, the group:

Provides technical assistance to grantees and other members of the public.

Participates in the formulation and development of ED program policy and legislative proposals and in the overall Administration policies related to health, mental health, environmental health, homelessness, prevention and intervention for neglected, delinquent, or at-risk children, and physical education. Drafts program regulations.

Designs operating programs, prepares program and administrative budgets and other management documents.

Establishes management goals and objectives that are consistent with the ED strategic plan.

Participates in interagency committees, groups, and partnerships related to health and the well-being of students in elementary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education.

Coordinates with other Federal agencies on issues related to comprehensive school health.

Advises the Assistant Secretary and respective Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy on the formulation of comprehensive school health education policy.

Participates with other Federal Agencies in the development of a national research agenda for the health and well-being of students in elementary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education.

Administer programs that address the needs of homeless children to help them enroll in school, attend regularly, and achieve success. Among other things, these grants help SEAs ensure that homeless children, including preschoolers and youths, have equal access to free and appropriate public education (FAPE). States must review and revise laws and practices that impede such equal access. States are required to have an approved plan for addressing problems associated with the enrollment and success of homeless children in school.

Center for School Preparedness, herein known as "the Center," administers programs that promote the ability of schools to prepare for and respond to crisis and disasters (natural and man-made). The Center also has responsibility for addressing issues related to homeland security.
The Center is responsible for:

Project SERV (School Emergency Response to Violence)

Readiness Emergency Management for Schools

Emergency Management for Higher Education

Homeland Security Activities

Disaster Response Coordinated with FEMA and DHS

In addition to the above activities, the Center is responsible for maintaining close contact with school security police chiefs, School Resource Officers, and emergency first responders. Managing these programs/activities includes: administering (1) discretionary grants, (2) interagency agreements, (3) contracts, and (4) cooperative agreements; monitoring grant compliance with statutory and regulatory provisions; providing technical assistance to grantees, constituents and other members of the public; participating in the formulation and development of Department program policy and legislative proposals, and in overall Administration policies related to the prevention of, preparation for, and response to emergency and crisis situations, including school shootings, terrorism, and natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes; drafting program regulations; designing operating programs; preparing program budgets and other management documents; preparing responses to program correspondence; directing staff responsible for operational programs; establishing program goals and objectives that are consistent with the Department’s Strategic Plan; participating in interagency committees, groups, and partnerships related to responses to emergency and crisis situations, coordinating with other Federal agencies on issues related to comprehensive emergency and crisis response plans, and advising the Assistant Secretary and/or respective Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy on the formulation of emergency and crisis response policy.